Construction has commenced to bring the NBN to hundreds of households in the Belconnen area, Member for Fraser, Andrew Leigh said today.

Andrew Leigh today welcomed the release of detailed maps by NBN Co, showing where construction of the National Broadband Network (NBN) will start in Aranda, Belconnen and parts of Macquarie and Cook.

“The map shows that NBN fibre is being rolled out in Belconnen which will allow more residents access to faster, affordable and more reliable broadband.

“Under Labor, connection to the NBN is free because we believe everyone should have access to the NBN,” Dr Leigh said.

“Under the Liberals you will have to you pay up to $5,000 to connect NBN fibre to your home - or you’re left disconnected.

“The National Broadband Network is about preparing Australia for the future. It’s about ensuring that our local communities in places like Belconnen are not left behind as the world and our local economy changes,” Dr Leigh said.

The map is another sign that construction of the National Broadband Network is continuing to ramp up, with work now having commenced or been completed to nearly one million homes and businesses across Australia.

Canberra will be one of the first metropolitan centres to be fully connected to the NBN.

“The release of this map means that work is starting in this area and over the next few months, we’ll start to see NBN workers locally doing the detailed planning and inspection work, and then rolling out the fibre.

“What’s more, NBN retail services are available for similar prices to what people are paying now, but for a much superior service.

“From seeing your local doctor from home, to your kids being able to take a specialist class at another school – the NBN will change the way we live, work, and access services. It will lead to a new wave of innovation, and I’m delighted that people in Belconnen will be among the first to benefit.

“The Liberals to come clean with the people of Canberra and say whether they support Tony Abbott’s plan to charge up to $5,000 for families to connect to Labor’s NBN.

“I know many families in Belconnen who will simply not be able to afford a $5,000 hit to the family budget and will have to miss out on the superfast broadband that Labor’s NBN is delivering.

“Labor is building the NBN for all Australians. But the Liberals are planning a digital divide in every suburb and town across Australia, denying access to Labor’s fibre network for millions of people.”

For more information on when the NBN is coming to your area, you can go to www.nbnco.com.au/rollout and type in your address.